Amadablam Expedition (6812m) - 31 days

Amadablam (6812m) is one of the most popular and perhaps the most beautiful mountains in Nepal. It rises impressively a few miles due south of Mt. Everest and Lhotse and overlooks the famed Tengboche monastery, which stands sentinel over the Khumbu region. The name Amadablam refers to an amulet box (dablam) worn by mother (ama) in the Sherpa/Tibetan language. Amadablam vies with many 6700 to 7000m peaks that surround the high valleys of this region, and outshines all by its classic beauty. It is a steep pyramid of ice with vertical walls and sharp exposed ridges. The ascent route of this mountain traverses the classic Southwest Ridge route, which was first climbed by Michael Ward, Barry Bishop, Wally Romanes and Michael Gill in March 1961. This is now the established normal route used by most expedition groups. It is often compared to Matterhorn, a peak of the Alps in southwestern Switzerland near the border with the Italian region of Valle d’Aosta, but is about 3000 m taller. Because of its stunning beauty, Amadablam leaves an indelible impression on the mind of any traveller who treks in Everest region.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu (briefing)
Day 03: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Day 04: Phakding to Namche
Day 05: Acclimatization day
Day 06: Namche to Tengboche
Day 07: Tengboche to Pangboche
Day 08: Pangboche to Amadablam Base Camp
Day 09-25: Climbing Period
Day 26: Base Camp to Pangboche
Day 27: Pangboche to Namche
Day 28: Namche to Lukla
Day 29: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 30: Kathmandu
Day 31: Transfer to airport for international departure

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

As the wide array of silvery Himalayas is visible from the window pane of your plane, you will know that you are flying above Nepal. Nepal unfolds its treasure before your actual landing in Nepal. After a few minutes of hide and seek with the Himalayas, you will land in Kathmandu. You will be warmly welcomed as per Nepali culture with garland at the airport terminal by a company representative and a driver. A private vehicle will escort you through the vibrant streets of Kathmandu to your designated hotel. Our representative will help you in your check-in procedure and will brief you about the trip beginning the next day.

Day 02: Kathmandu (briefing)

You will be briefed by your climbing guide on the technicalities, gears, equipment, shopping, legal formality, health precautions, safety tips and other last hour preparations. After briefing, you can spend the rest of your day in last hour shopping and preparation.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2860m), trek to Phakding (2610m)

Early morning you will be served with hearty breakfast in your hotel. Then as per your flight timetable to Lukla, you will be transferred to airport in a private vehicle. Thirty minutes’ flight to Lukla is one of the most thrilling flights. Especially just before landing at Lukla airport, the plane flies above a deep gorge and with then makes the landing on the black-pitched air strips beginning at the ridge of the cliff that winds to the wide open airport. The overall flight is a sheer adventure. As you check out from Lukla airport, your trek guide will take your total care. He will brief you about the trek, which will be beginning in few minutes. As you start the trek, you will be trekking along Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. It is a short trek of 2-3 hours to begin your trekking adventure. The first day trek is designed to familiarize you with the trekking trials and the culture associated with it.

Day 04: Phakding to Namche (3450m)

Early morning after the breakfast at your teahouse at Phakding, you will resume your trek. Your lunch will be served at one of the teahouses on the way. From Phakding, the trial continues north up the Dudh Koshi valley. The trial follows the amusing course alongside Dudh Koshi River then climbs to the village of Chumao. Passing the interspersed villages with magnificent woods of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs; the trail sharply descends to big valley of Monjo and at this point the trek enters into Sagarmatha National Park. Beyond the park entrance the trial makes a steep rock-strewn descent to a large farm and at a short distance you will arrive at Jorsale village (2850m). From Jorsale, after several steep descents and ascents you will finally come into the Sherpa capital Namche (3450m).

Day 05: Acclimatization day

You will have a rest day today. Namche is a live amphitheater of Sherpa culture of Khumbu region. Perched on the slopes of crescent shaped hills, Namche is the busiest stop over of the whole region with a wide array of shops, restaurants, hotels, lodges and communication centers. You can explore the town and the surrounding vicinity. You can also visit Khunde Hospital established by Sir Edmund Hillary, or walk uphill to have the mesmerizing sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest.

Day 06: Namche to Tengboche (3860m)

You will commence the day’s trek along the diagonal trial until it brings you to the conglomerated huge rocks dividing the trial to Khumjung and Khumde. However, you slide down to the bridge and cross over it to Phunki (3250m). The distinctive prayer wheels continually rotated around by water make you halt for a while for closer look. After wards, you will resume the trek along the long uphill climbing trial through the evergreen forests full of colorful flowers including rhododendron (during spring). The entire experience is blissful with the pleasant aroma of wild flowers when the wind changes its direction. Finally, the trial brings you to an awe-inspiring verdant plateau of Tengboche (3876m). Historical and sacred Tengboche monastery with a remarkable view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Ama Dablam on its background is a perfect reward to you upon reaching Tengboche.

Day 07: Tengboche to Pangboche (3985m)

The trek once again hits the Himalayan trial along the forest and through the yaks grazing pastures rising beyond 4000m. At the horizon, the Everest summit girt by the majestic rock palisades of Nuptse and Lhotse seems exceptionally terrific. Passing by the spring continuing downhill the trial brings you to Gompa of Devoche (3757m), settlements of Milingo (3820m) then to a bridge over Imja Khola at 3780m. The short upward climb brings you to the monastery of Pangboche (3985m), the monastery claiming to own scalp and hand of legendary Yeti. Pangboche village serves as a base for climbing Ama Dablam. The village also has a school built by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust in 1963.

Day 08: Pangboche to Amadablam Base Camp (4500m)

From Pangboche, the trail descends till you cross a river. Then the trail starts ascending till you reach the Base Camp (4500m). Throughout the trek, you can see the beautiful view of popular peaks of Khumbu region including Ama Dablam (6856m), Lhotse (8516m), Lhotse Shar (8382m), Nuptse (7879m), Lobuche (6090), Pumori (7165m), Thamserku (6623m) etc. The Base Camp is located on a grassy field at an altitude of 4500 m. This place is traditionally used as a pastureland for grazing yaks by the yak herders of Khumjung village.

Day 09-25: Climbing Period

In the initial days of climbing, you will do climbing preparations, trainings, practices and acclimatization. Once you start climbing, you will follow your experienced climbing guides. Throughout the period, extra precautions are taken regarding the safety and success of the expedition. As you go higher, you will set up several camps till you reach the summit.

The Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is located higher up at 5200m. Two higher camps above the ABC have to be set up before you make your final push to the summit. From camp I (5815m) onwards, extra precaution is required to overcome some exposed rock sections including ‘Yellow Tower’ to reach camp II at about 6000m. This is a very small camp located on a very exposed section of a ridge, and is barely sufficient enough to accommodate 2-3 tents.

The climb from camp II to camp III (6400m) involves expert alpine rock climbing skill as you will encounter ice gullies, corniced ridge and an ice wall. After camp III, a perfect 50 degree snow and ice slope lead you to the summit of Amadablam. The climb requires one to be competent in alpine ice-climbing technique and have experience climbing on mixed terrain carrying a pack on one’s back. On reaching the summit, you will have the rewarding views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Baruntse and other surrounding high peaks of Khumbu region. After the summit, you will retrace your journey to the Base Camp.

Day 26: Base Camp to Pangboche (3985m)

Now you will return back the same trail but in quicker pace as you will start losing altitude.

Day 27: Pangboche to Namche (3440m)

You will be continuing your trek on the descending trial even this day. Traversing the rhododendron and magnolia forests exploring the monasteries at villages like Tengboche and Khumjung, you will once again arrive at Namche. This time at Namche, enjoy the success with drinks, explore the Bazaar, and hunt souvenirs.

Day 28: Namche to Lukla (2860m)

Yet again, you will trek through the Dudh Koshi valley and retrace your path along Monjo and Phakding to reach Lukla. On the way back, recall that the trek to Namche from Lukla was over 10 hours and took two hard days to complete. Now the reverse trek from Namche to Lukla is just 6-8 hours consuming simple single day. At the end of Day 28, you arrive at Lukla and your trek concludes. Congratulations, your adventure has been amazingly perfect!

Day 29: Fly to Kathmandu (1400m)

As per your flight schedule, you will board the twin otter plane and fly back to Kathmandu. At Kathmandu, like in earlier occasion you will be received by a company representative and a driver. You will be escorted to your hotel.

Day 30: Free day at Kathmandu, Farewell Cultural Dinner

The long trek in the Himalayan region might have worn you out. Take pleasure in the free day at the Nepali capital. You can just wander in the lively streets of Thamel and Asan, travel around the cultural sights of the city or you may simply chill checking your mail box at hotel room. In the evening your tour officer will pick you up for the dinner at one of the cultural restaurants of Thamel. Enjoy the evening with TAGnepal! After the dinner, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Day 31: Transfer to airport for international departure

Your tour officer and a driver will be at your hotel reception to pick you up three hours prior to your departure. You will be transferred to the airport in a private vehicle. Our tour officer and driver will see you off. Have a safe flight back home!